Advanced Fibre Communications, France Telecom Sign Contract

PETALUMA, Calif., Mar. 16 -- Advanced Fibre Communications Inc. (AFC) has signed a multi-year contract to supply its UMC1000 multi-service access platform to France Telecom. The contract was awarded following AFC's response to a France Telecom tender offer for the supply of digital and analog access multiplexers. Under the terms of the contract, AFC will provide its UMC1000 48-line and 120-line multi-service access platform for deployment in France.
AFC reported that the new contract also includes the option to deploy AFC's access equipment in France Telecom's metropolitan network and its worldwide subsidiaries. In addition, the agreement provides the opportunity for AFC and France Telecom to jointly specify and develop products on an as-needed basis. The two companies currently are in final negotiations on a service contract for the UMC1000 installed base in France.